Said he hopes to help others by providing employment

Timothy Dingle celebrates his achievement with his son Samuel Elijah Dingle, 7, as he picks up a car for salvage Friday in La Grange. Dingle was awarded Small Business of the Year by the N.C. Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services.

A Lenoir County resident is the first recipient of a statewide award for a person with disabilities overcoming extreme challenges, building a business plan and operating a successful business.

Timothy Dingle, who moved to Lenoir County in 1997, received the Small Business of the Year award through the N.C. Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services for his business, Dingle’s Transport.

“Mr. Dingle was selected for this award,” said Robin Shaw, counselor in charge in the Kinston DVRS office, “due to his willingness to work through the challenges of creating a small business plan, completing all of the federal and state regulations to operate a small business and having a plan which is helping him work towards self-sufficiency.”

Because of a disability, Dingle had found himself jobless, with no money and living out of his car. He made a little money selling scrap metal and cars to salvage yards.

He began working with Shaw and took classes through Lenoir Community College’s Small Business Center.

He was one of about 170 people around the state to begin the process of owning a business, and one of 24 of that group to be approved for the program.

Through a rigorous process of developing a business plan and running a successful business, he became one of seven finalists.

In March, Dingle was named as the sole recipient of the award at a legislative breakfast held in Raleigh. He was not able to attend, but received a plaque on March 20.

“I was shocked,” Dingle said, “but I think the biggest reason I got the award was because I didn’t quit. I met every adversity, whatever the case may be, head-on. I didn’t let anything stop me.”

Craig Lawrence, NCDVRS’ small business specialist, said an advisory committee in Raleigh reviewed each candidate’s circumstances looking for whoever overcame the most challenges.

“(Dingle) was the unanimous choice by the committee,” Lawrence said. “… He showed resourcefulness, intelligence and determination.”

Through a revision two years ago of NCDVRS’ self-employment policy for people with disabilities, the standards became more rigorous to meet, Lawrence said.

Dingle said going through each step of the process took a long time, and he had to redo his projected figures several times.

“Because of my disability,” he said, “I have to work by myself.”

Dingle experienced a severe head injury at 5 years old and his father brought him to a hospital in Washington, D.C.

“I remember it as clear as yesterday,” he said, “my dad standing with a handkerchief over my face, and it was bleeding, arguing with someone about accepting me into the hospital. They wouldn’t accept me because of the color of my skin.”

Dingle experienced a couple of other head injuries later in life. He joined the U.S. Army, but didn’t stay but 90 days. He was discharged honorably, but without benefits, he said.

“What I need to do is to keep myself out of stressful situations — get away from it,” he said. Today, he is focused on his family, including his 7-year-old son who he said is his “biggest inspiration,” and his business.

Dingle has traveled as far as Havelock and Raleigh to pick up scrap metal and cars. His biggest challenge, he said, has been having enough cash to pay his expenses. NCDVRS assisted with purchasing trailers and equipment.

His assets include honest work and building trust with people. Picking up junk cars at the agreed-upon time is important to him, he said.

Dingle scans neighborhoods looking for salvageable cars and knocks on doors or leaves his business card. Ultimately, he hopes to offer employment to someone who has faced challenges like he has.

“My goal is not only to support myself and my family, but at some point in the future I would like to expand to help someone else in the Vocational Rehabilitation program.”

Margaret Fisher can be reached at 252-559-1082 or Margaret.Fisher@Kinston.com. Follow her on Twitter @MargaretFishr.